AT&T says it plans to roll out its 1-Gbps U-verse with AT&T GigaPower service in the Chicago and Atlanta areas. Other Georgia communities also will receive the service.
Exactly when and where the fiber to the premises (FTTP) based services will be available and at what cost still remain unannounced.
"We are working to make Chicago the most wired city in the world, and it is great news that AT&T is bringing its ultra-high speed fiber network to Chicago," said city Mayor Rahm Emanuel. "This important digital infrastructure investment will bring opportunity for Chicago residents, businesses, and visitors, who all stand to benefit from this new service."
Gigabit Squared targeted parts of Chicago for gigabit access with funding from the State of Illinois (see "State of Illinois funds Gigabit Squared broadband project in Chicago" and "Zayo to supply backbone fiber for Gigabit Squared in Chicago"). However, as was the case with Gigabit Squared’s Seattle effort, the project has foundered, with the state demanding its money be returned, according to local reports. The dispute clearly opens the door for AT&T to step in.
Meanwhile, in Georgia, AT&T says it will bring GigaPower to Decatur, Newnan, and Sandy Springs as well as Atlanta.
AT&T had listed Atlanta and Chicago among the approximately 100 cities it announced as candidates for GigaPower this past April (see "AT&T releases list of potential new 1-Gbps FTTH markets"). The Austin, Dallas, and Fort Worth markets have already seen the service offered (see, for example, "AT&T completes gigabit upgrade for Austin customers"). AT&T has confirmed GigaPower roll out plans for Charlotte, Chicago, Cupertino, Greensboro, Houston, Jacksonville, Fla., Miami, Nashville, Overland Park (KS), Raleigh-Durham, San Antonio, St. Louis and Winston-Salem.
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